PEEKSKILL, N.Y. – The Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce will be awarding six $1,000 scholarships for graduating seniors from the Croton-Harmon, Hendrick Hudson, Lakeland, Peekskill, Putnam Valley and Walter Panas High Schools later this year.

There is one scholarship available per school, all of which fall in the chamber's coverage area. The scholarships are funded through donations and by chamber members and their guests who participated in the chamber’s annual golf outing held last September.

"These scholarships have been going on for about five years now," said Deborah Milone, the chamber's executive director.

Scholarship applications are now available at the guidance offices of each high school mentioned above or on the chamber’s website, www.hvgatewaychamber.com.

Recipients are selected on the basis of academic record, but also on leadership, extracurricular activities in school or in the community, honors, awards or recognition received and work experience.

"Obviously the grades count but that's not the only thing we look at," Milone said.

Interested students must complete and submit the application form, a personal 250-300 word essay on their educational and professional goals, an official high school transcript and a letter of recommendation from a community or school sponsor.

The application deadline is May 11 and the winners will be introduced at the June 7 chamber breakfast at The Garrison Golf Club on Route 9. Attendance at the breakfast is mandatory in order to receive the scholarship award.